
connector while moving vane in VAF meter. Voltage should be as specified in VAF METER VOLTAGE table. If voltage is okay,
repair VAF wire to ECA. If voltage is not okay, go to next step.
VAF METER VOLTAGE
4. Unplug connector from VAF. Using jumper wires, connect VPWR and SIGRTN terminals on VAF connector to corresponding terminals
on VAF meter. Leave VAF and VMREF wires disconnected. Measure voltage between VAF terminal at VAF meter, and SIGRTN pin at
harness connector while moving vane in VAF meter. Voltage should be as specified in VAF METER VOLTAGE
table. If voltage is
okay, repair VMREF wire to ECA. If voltage is not okay, go to next step.
5. Unplug connector from VAF meter. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage between SIGRTN and VPWR wire. If voltage is more than 10
volts, replace VAF meter. If voltage is not more than 10 volts, go to next step.
6. Unplug VAF meter connector. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage between VAF meter VPWR wire and ground. If voltage is more than
10 volts, repair VAF wire to ECA. If voltage is not more than 10 volts, go to PINPOINT TEST VPWR.
PINPOINT TEST ECT - ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR
Fig. 9: Identifying ECT Sensor Circuits
ECT CIRCUIT PIN IDENTIFICATION
1.3L
1. Turn ignition off. Install BOB. Leave ECA disconnected. Unplug ECT connector. Check for continuity between ECT test pin and ECT
terminal (Red/Blue wire) on ECT harness connector. If continuity does not exist, repair ECT wire between ECA and ECT sensor. If
continuity exists, go to next step.
2. Unplug ECT sensor. Check for continuity between Black wire at ECT sensor and ground. If continuity does not exist, repair Black wire
between ECT sensor and ground. If continuity exists, go to next step.
3. Reconnect ECA. Measure resistance between BOB ECT test pin and ground pin. If resistance is 500-1000 ohms, replace ECA. If
resistance is not 500-1000 ohms, replace ECT sensor.
1.6L
1. Turn ignition off. Install BOB. Leave ECA disconnected. Unplug ECT connector. Check for continuity between ECT test pin and ECT
terminal (Blue/Red wire) on ECT harness connector. If continuity does not exist, repair ECT wire between ECA and ECT sensor. If
Door PositionVolts
1/8 Open3.24
1/4 Open5.60
3/8 Open5.62
1/2 Open5.83
5/8 Open6.02
3/4 Open6.57
7/8 Open7.46
Full Open7.87
NOTE:Enter this test only when a Code 09 is displayed during QUICK T EST S procedure or when directed here
from another PINPOINT T EST . T o prevent unnecessary diagnosis, inspect coolant level, oil level,
cooling fan, therm ostat, and airflow to radiator before testing.
CircuitECA PinBOB PinWire Color
1.3L
ECT2Q7RED/BLU
GND(1) (1) BLK
1.6L
ECT2I7BLU/RED
SIGRTN2C46BLU/YEL
(1)Not specified.
Page 10 of 20 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - G - TESTS W/CODES 1991-92 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Ford Motor Co. Self-Diagnostics
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Check vane airflow meter.
Check idle speed control solenoid.
Check pressure regulator control solenoid.
Check heated exhaust gas oxygen sensor.
Check engine coolant temperature sensor.
Check A/C load control solenoid.
STUMBLE/HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION
Check throttle position switch.
Check vane airflow meter.
Check canister purge solenoid.
Check heated exhaust gas oxygen sensor.
Check wide open throttle A/C (WAC) relay.
Check A/C thermostatic switch.
MISSES/SURGES
Check exhaust gas oxygen sensor.
Check throttle position switch.
Check vane airflow meter.
Check wide open throttle vacuum switch.
Check A/C load control solenoid.
Check engine coolant temperature sensor.
IDLE IS FAST/SLOW RETURN TO IDLE
Check idle speed control solenoid.
Check by-pass air control valve.
Check engine coolant temperature sensor.
Check A/C load control solenoid.
IDLE IS ROUGH
Check idle speed control solenoid.
Check A/C load control solenoid.
Check by-pass air control valve.
Check throttle position switch.
Check vane airflow meter.
Check vane air temperature sensor.
Check canister purge solenoid.
Check engine cooling fan.
Check headlight switch.
Check blower control switch.
Check A/C thermostatic switch.
Check neutral safety switch.
Check neutral gear switch or clutch engage switch.
Check heated exhaust gas oxygen sensor.
ENGINE SPEEDS UP
Check idle speed control solenoid.
Check heated exhaust gas oxygen sensor.
Check by-pass air control valve.
CRANKS NORMALLY/NO START
Verify secondary ignition spark is present.
Verify fuel pressure is within specification.
Check vane airflow meter.
Check engine coolant temperature sensor.
CRANKS NORMALLY/SLOW TO START
Check ignition module.
Check engine coolant temperature sensor.
Check vane airflow meter.
Check evaporative emission control components.
Page 2 of 3 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - H - TESTS W/O CODES 1991-92 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Ford Motor Co. Trouble Shooting -
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CLUTCH ENGAGE SWITCH (CES)
This switch is located on the manual transaxle and informs the ECA of transmission operating conditions. The ECA uses this data fo r id l e
speed control and canister purge valve operation.
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CPS) (FESTIVA)
This sensor is located in the distributor and sends engine RPM and crankshaft position data to the ECA. The ECA uses this data in calculating
fuel metering, ignition timing, idle speed control and canister purge valve operation.
CYLINDER IDENTIFICATION SENSOR (CID) (CAPRI)
This sensor is located in the distributor and provides crankshaft position data to the ECA. The ECA uses this data in calculating fuel metering
and ignition timing.
ELECTRICAL LOAD SWITCHES
Blower control, cooling fan, rear window defroster, air conditioning and headlight switches all send signals to the ECA. The ECA uses these
signals for idle speed control.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE (ECT) SENSOR
This sensor is located in the intake manifold and sends coolant temperature data to the ECA. The ECA uses this data in calculating fuel
metering, idle speed control and canister purge valve operation.
EXHAUST GAS OXYGEN (EGO) SENSOR
This sensor is located in the exhaust manifold and senses oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas. The ECA uses this data in calculating fuel
metering, idle speed control and canister purge valve operation.
NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH (A/T)
This switch is located on the automatic transaxle and sends a signal to the ECA whenever the transaxle is in Neutral or Park ranges. The ECA
uses this signal in calculating fuel metering, idle speed control and canister purge valve operation.
POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH (PSPS)
This switch is located on the power steering pump and sends data about power steering operation to the ECA. The ECA uses this data for idle
speed control.
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TP)
This device is located on the throttle body and contains 2 switches. The Wide Open Throttle (WOT) Switch sends a signal to the ECA when
throttle valve opening is more than 70 degrees. The ECA uses this signal in calculating fuel metering.
The Idle Switch (IDL) sends a signal to the ECA when throttle valve opening is less than 1.5 degrees. The ECA uses this signal for idle speed
control and canister purge valve operation.
VANE AIRFLOW (VAF) METER
This sensor is located in the air cleaner housing and sends intake airflow data to the ECA. The ECA uses this data in calculating fuel metering.
VANE AIR TEMPERATURE (VAT) SENSOR
This sensor is located inside the vane airflow sensor and senses intake air temperature. The ECA uses this data in calculating fu el met erin g,
idle speed control and canister purge valve operation.
CEC OUTPUT SIGNALS
CANISTER PURGE (CANP) SOLENOID
See EMISSION SYSTEMS.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
See SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM.
FUEL INJECTORS
See FUEL CONTROL.
IDLE SPEED CONTROL BY-PASS AIR (ISC-BPA) VALVE
See IDLE SPEED. NOTE:Vehicles are equipped with different com binations of com puter-controlled com ponents. Not all
com ponents listed below are used on every vehicle. For theory and operation of each output
com ponent, refer to indicated system .
Page 2 of 6 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - E - THEORY/OPERATION 1991 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Ford/Mercury Theory & Operation
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CDI
Capacitor Discharge Ignition
CEC
Computerized Engine Control
CID
Cubic Inch Displacement
cm
Centimeter
CMP
Camshaft Position Sensor
CO
Carbon Monoxide
CO
2
Carbon Dioxide
Cont.
Continued
CONV
Convertible
CP
Canister Purge
CKP
Crankshaft Position Sensor
CTS
Coolant Temperature Sensor
Cu. In.
Cubic Inch
CVC
Constant Vacuum Control
CV
Check Valve or Constant Velocity
CW
Clockwise
CYL or Cyl.
Cylinder
C
3 I
Computer Controlled Coil Ignition
C
4
Computer Controlled Catalytic Converter
"D"
"D"
Page 4 of 15 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Commonly Used Abbreviations
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EBL
Electronic Back Light
ECM
Engine Control Module
ECT
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
EDIS
Electronic Distributorless Ignition System
EEC
Electronic Engine Control
EECS
Evaporative Emission Control System
EEPROM
Electronically Erasable PROM
EFE
Early Fuel Evaporation
EGO
Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor
EGR
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
ESA
Electronic Spark Advance
ESC
Electronic Spark Control
EST
Electronic Spark Timing
EVAP
Fuel Evaporative System
EVIC
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
EVP
EGR Valve Position Sensor
Exc.
Except
"F"
° F
Fahrenheit (Degrees)
F/B
Fuse Block
Fed.
Page 6 of 15 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Commonly Used Abbreviations
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BRAKES
BRAKE SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING
BRAKE SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
CONDITIONPOSSIBLE CAUSE
Insufficient, Erratic, or No HeatLow Coolant Level
.....Incorrect thermostat.
.....Restricted coolant flow through core.
.....Heater hoses plugged.
.....Misadjusted control cable.
.....Sticking heater control valve.
.....Vacuum hose leaking.
.....Vacuum hose blocked.
.....Vacuum motors inoperative.
.....Blocked air inlet.
.....Inoperative heater blower motor.
.....Oil residue on heater core fins.
.....Dirt on heater core fins.
Too Much HeatImproperly adjusted cables.
.....Sticking heater control valve.
.....No vacuum to heater control valve.
.....Temperature door stuck open.
Air Flow Changes During AccelerationVacuum system leak.
.....Bad check valve or reservoir.
Air From Defroster At All TimesVacuum system leak.
.....Improperly adjusted control cables.
.....Inoperative vacuum motor.
Blower Does Not Operate CorrectlyBlown fuse.
.....Blower motor windings open.
.....Resistors burned out.
.....Motor ground connection loose.
.....Wiring harness connections loose.
.....Blower motor switch inoperative.
.....Blower relay inoperative.
.....Fan binding or foreign object in housing.
.....Fan blades broken or bent.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Brakes Pull Left or Right
Incorrect tire pressureInflate tires to proper pressure
Front end out of alignmentSee WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Mismatched tiresCheck tires sizes
Restricted brake lines or hosesCheck hose routing
Loose or malfunctioning caliperSee DISC BRAKES or
BRAKE SYSTEM
Bent shoe or oily liningsSee DRUM BRAKES or
BRAKE SYSTEM
Malfunctioning rear brakesSee DRUM, DISC BRAKES
or BRAKE SYSTEM
Loose suspension partsSee SUSPENSION
Noises Without Brakes Applied
Front linings worn outReplace linings
Dust or oil on drums or rotorsSee DRUM, DISC BRAKES
or BRAKE SYSTEM
Noises With Brakes Applied
Insulator on outboard shoe damagedSee DISC BRAKES or
BRAKE SYSTEM
Incorrect pads or liningsReplace pads or linings
Brake Rough, Chatters or Pulsates
Excessive lateral runoutCheck rotor runout
Parallelism not to specificationsReface or replace rotor
Wheel bearings not adjustedSee SUSPENSION
Rear drums out-of-roundReface or replace drums
Disc pad reversed, steel against rotorRemove and reinstall pad
Excessive Pedal Effort
Page 7 of 36 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
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GASOLINE ENGINE - MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING
BASIC GASOLINE ENGINE - MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
Overheating
Coolant LeakFill/Pressure Test System
A/C Condenser Fins CloggedRemove/Clean Condenser
Radiator Fins CloggedRemove/Clean Radiator
Thermostat Stuck ClosedReplace Thermostat
C l o gge d C o o l in g S yst e m P a ssa ge sClean/Flush Cooling System
Water Pump MalfunctionReplace Water Pump
Fan Clutch MalfunctionReplace Fan Clutch
Retarded Ignition TimingReset Ignition Timing
Cooling Fan MalfunctionTest Cooling Fan/Circuit
Cooling Fan Motor MalfunctionTest Fan Motor
Cooling Fan Relay MalfunctionTest Fan Relay
Faulty Radiator CapReplace Radiator Cap
Broken/Slipping Fan BeltReplace Fan Belt
Restricted ExhaustRepair Exhaust System
Corrosion
Impurities In CoolantClean/Flush System
Coolant Leakage
Damaged hoseReplace Hose
Leaky Water PumpReplace Water Pump
Damaged Radiator SeamReplace/Repair Radiator
Leaky Thermostat CoverReplace Thermostat Cover
Cylinder Head ProblemCheck Head/Head Gasket
Leaky Freeze PlugsReplace Freeze Plugs
Recovery System Inoperative
Loose and/or Defective Radiator CapReplace Radiator Cap
Overflow Tube Clogged and/or LeakingRepair Tube
Recovery Bottle Vent RestrictedClean Vent
No Heater Core Flow
Collapsed Heater HoseReplace Heater Hose
Pl u gge d He a t e r C o r eClean/Replace Heater Core
Faulty Heater ValveReplace Heater Valve
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Engine Lopes At Idle
In t ake man ifo l d -t o -h ead l eaksReplace manifold gasket, See
ENGINES
Blown head gasketReplace head gasket, See
ENGINES
Worn timing gears, chain or sprocketReplace gears, chain or
sprocket
Worn camshaft lobesReplace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Overheated engineCheck cooling system, See
COOLING
Blocked crankcase vent valveRemove restriction
Le a kin g E GR va l veRepair leak and/or replace
va l ve
Faulty fuel pumpReplace fuel pump
Engine Has Low Power
Leaking fuel pumpRepair leak and/or replace
fu el p u mp
Excessive piston-to-bore clearanceInstall larger pistons, See
ENGINES
Sticking valves or weak valve springsCheck valve train components,
See ENGINES
Incorrect valve timingReset valve timing, See
ENGINES
Worn camshaft lobesReplace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Blown head gasketReplace head gasket. See
ENGINES.
Clutch slippingAdjust pedal and/or replace
components, See ENGINES
Page 9 of 36 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
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IGNITION SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING
Open coolant temperature sensor circuitTest sensor and wiring
Shorted W.O.T. switch in T.P.S.Disconnect W.O.T. switch,
engine should start
Defective ECMReplace ECM
Fuel tank residual pressure valve leaksTest for fuel pressure drop
after shut down
Hard Starting
Disconnected hot air tube to air cleanerReconnect tube and test
control valve
Defective Idle Air Control (IAC) valveTest valve operation and
circuit
Shorted, open or misadjusted T.P.S.Test and adjust or replace
T.P.S.
EGR valve openTest EGR valve and control
circuit
Poor Oxygen sensor signalTest for shorted or circuit
Incorrect mixture from PCV systemTest PCV for flow, check
sealing of oil filter cap
Poor High Speed Operation
Low fuel pump volumeFaulty pump or restricted fuel
lines or filters
Poor MAP sensor signalTest MAP sensor, vacuum
hose and wiring
Poor Oxygen sensor signalTest for shorted or open
sensor or circuit
Open coolant temperature sensor circuitTest sensor and wiring
Faulty ignition operationCheck wires for cracks or poor
con- nections, test secondary
voltage with oscilloscope
Contaminated fuelTest fuel for water or alcohol
Intermittent ECM groundTest ECM ground connection
for resistance
Restricted air cleanerReplace air cleaner
Restricted exhaust systemTest for exhaust manifold back
pressure
Poor MAF sensor signalCheck leakage between sensor
and manifold
Poor VSS signalIf tester for ALCL hook-up is
available check that VSS
reading matches speedometer
Ping or Knock on Acceleration
Poor Knock sensor signalTest for shorted or open
sensor or circuit
Poor Baro sensor signalTest for shorted or open
sensor or circuit
Improper ignition timingSee VEHICLE EMISSION
CONTROL LABEL (where
applicable)
Check for engine overheating problemsLow coolant, loose belts or
electric cooling fan inoperative
NOTE:For additional electronic fuel injection trouble shooting inform ation, see the appropriate article in the
ENGINE PERFORMANCE section (not all vehicles have Com puter Engine Control articles). Inform ation
is provided there for diagnosing fuel system problem s on vehicles with electronic fuel injection.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
Page 17 of 36 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
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